mampoer Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 Hi all, Our Thelma is losing loads of feathers - it started just with the smaller ones but now even her big feathers are coming off - she looks like she may be bald soon as they are coming off everywhere! We have had a lot of fireworks going off in our neighbourhood and wondering if the moult is due to her being stressed from the noise - she seems a bit skittish too and seems to be wanting to stay near the house. She has also stopped laying. We are very worried about her - is there anything we can do? Thank you!! Kirsty and John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 It is possible that stress can induce a moult, but at this time of every it seems everyone's chickens are moulting. I wouldn't worry about her. Just make sure she has decent pellets/mash and maybe give her some rinsed tuna every few days - the extra protein helps with regrowth of feathers. 3 of mine are moulting and looking grumpy, generally not themselves. It is a stupid time of year to moult but they all do it As long as she is eating and drinking, she will be fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mampoer Posted November 9, 2008 Author Share Posted November 9, 2008 Thanks for the reassurance . We will definitely give her some tuna - I'm sure she'll love the treat. Poor thing has now lost her tail feathers so is looking very scruffy and odd. Thanks again! Kirsty and John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 No problem! One of mine has one tail feather left and looks really strange, bless her! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickaboo Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Phoebe is having a big moult and is a bit down in the dumps. Nothing usually phases her but she has become a bit skittish too, jumping if I bang a door etc Considering she stands excitedly next to my OH whilst he axes logs, saws wood, mows the lawn etc etc. This is unusual behaviour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 They do go a bit daft when moulting, and become less biddable. It usually settles when their hormones kick in again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen&Rog Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 My Big Bird gets even more grumpy than usual when moulting (it probably doesn't help having us giggling at her for looking so daft!). She gets very jumpy and hates being touched. I sometimes think maybe it gets a bit itchy/uncomfortable, but she soon settles down again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 Mine are all moulting and have PMT too I wouldn't worry about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SueSteve Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 Some of mine are moulting. This is the first year I have seen the Moult, we had our first girls at the end of Sept last year, none moulted. One of the girls who we have had since sep 07 is moulting loads. Another that we got in Feb is mouting, and one that we got in June is moulting, but I havent noticed it very much on the others. They look a bit bedraggled! I did wonder if it could be some parasite, but I cannot see anything. They do appear to be playing a game of pinching the feathers, running away and chasing each other for them. I have only really noticed this today, as I go to work int he dark and get home in the dark! DH and children have been caring for them for the past few weeks! Although Tilly did have a bit of a bare neck last weekend. They look so sorry for themselves! Must remember to add some spice and try the tuna, thanks for the tip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chooklady Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 More moulting ones here too. As I've only had them since August and 2 in October I haven't seen this before, egg production is down big time and feathers everywhere and grumpy hormonal chickens, several of them look bedragled and it doesn't help when my dog licks them, I get lots of soggy chooks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
